Today I called and asked my credit card company to waive the yearly $85 membership fee. I explained that I was a good customer who paid off the card every month, used the card for $A to $A+ per month, and was considering closing the account if the fee was not waved. I was told by the assoicate there was nothing that could be done. I asked to speak to a manger or supervisor. The supervisor waived the fee. Best 4 minutes I've spent today.

For kicks and giggles I went a step further. I recently had a wire transfer and was charged a $15.00 fee by my bank. I called my branch manager and she gladly refunded the charge. It took less than 2 minutes.

6 minutes and $100 dollars back in my pocket. It's going to be a good day.

Why were you paying an $85 annual fee to begin with?

I signed up for a card that gave me 40,000 bonus miles if you spend X in the first 3 months. It also gives me 1 mile per $1 dollar spent. I'm thinking of looking in an AMEX card with 2 miles to $1.

If you can get the fee waived why not? Though, it does call into question if the $85 was really "saved" or it's rather an amount was earned that is the benefit of the card over the best non-fee card Eagle could have gotten (if less than the fee).